Second Place

I complained and complained last year about the never-ending winter. Well, I think I spoke too soon. This winter has not only been longer (storms started early in November and we are currently in the middle of a blizzard as I type this) but much more severe. The 2008-2009 winter season is currently the second snowiest on record with a total of 92.7 inches. The 1996-1997 season holds the number one spot with 101.6 inches. We're not that far away from hitting the record and this blizzard warning is in effect until 7:00 tomorrow morning. In addition to all the snow, the Missouri River flooded in the Bismarck-Mandan area and the Fargo-Moorhead area has been competing with the rising Red River. It seems as if our state cannot catch a break this winter. Mother Nature has set her sights on our area and refuses to ease up. (If you want to see good reporting on the flooding, check out Amber's blog or Teacherwoman's blog.)

Last week Tuesday school was cancelled for the day and parent-teacher conferences were cancelled for the evening. Conferences were rescheduled for today. School has been cancelled today and parent-teacher conferences have been cancelled for the evening. I think it's a sign that Thursday night's conferences were enough - don't you agree?

My plans for today? I suppose the responsible thing to do would be to get some work done. I, however, am not feeling very responsible. Instead, I think I'll pretend I'm a teenage girl and read about vampires. I have a bit of "Twilight" to finish and then it's on to "New Moon." Bless our library and the speed at which they are able to get me such popular books!

Happy Monday!

Spring Break Recap

I got all my correcting done and a few lesson plans written. I didn't get as much done as I wanted to on the work front, but I'm still ahead or caught-up so I can't complain about that. This week is going to be a long one with conferences tomorrow night and Thursday night, but the we're on our last quarter which is very exciting!

I got lots of play-time in with Crickett. She is five pounds of pure fun.

I finished the book I had been reading and then went to the library to get a book from my list. I felt ambitious, so I got two and then a third was added after the librarian informed me that "Twilight," one of the books I had placed a hold on was in (I thought I'd get it sometime this summer since I was the 15th or so on the list). So, I've started "Twilight" and am hoping the rest of the series comes to me as quickly because this is the one I had planned on reading in 2009.

I only got one run and there isn't anything too exciting to report on it. I don't mind running on my treadmill, unlike so many others, because it gives me a chance to watch my seasons of "Gilmore Girls." I adore that show - anyone else enjoy it?

I got most of the office organized and cleaned. I have a bit more to do, but it already feels so much better in here and I can't wait to move the spring-cleaning bus into another room.

Friday was a gorgeous day, so Mitch and I took Crickett for her first walk. It was a fun outing for our little family and I look forward to this summer when we can do it on a regular basis.

Spring Break

At 3:15 pm today, the ringing of the bell not only signaled the end of classes for the day, but the end of classes for the week. I'm officially on spring break!

I am thrilled to have a four-day weekend ahead of me; I have a lot planned for those 96 hours! I'm currently caught up in all my classes and I want to keep it that way so I'm going to have to spend some time grading papers and planning lessons. I feel like such a different person when I'm not overwhelmed at work - I feel like myself! It's not, however, going to be an "all work and no play" kind of break. I'm going to play with my puppy (can we say boundless energy?), finish my current book and start another (preferably one from my list so I can get a 2009 goal accomplished), run (half-marathon training doesn't get done by sitting on the couch), organize the office (the "spring-cleaning bug" has hit me full-force), and get outside to enjoy the nice weather (it's starting to feel like spring!).

There you have my agenda for the next four days. I hope to get back to regular blogging during break, too. I'll keep you posted on all these things I'm not getting done because of the naps I'm taking instead.

First Shopping Trip

Goldilocks in Papa Bear's bed.

3.14

Happy Pi Day everyone! Try not to get too crazy today!

Book Sale Bust

This past Saturday was the library's used book sale. From the minute I found out about the sale, I was giddy. I could hardly contain my excitement at the idea of another grocery bag of books for only a $1.00.

I scored 14 books at the book sale last spring and then a whopping 18 at the fall book sale, so you can imagine my disappointment when I walked away with only 7 books this time around. It was a book sale bust.

My husband pointed out that my shelves are already full and that I still haven't read my books from the first sale I attended, but that doesn't matter. I want my books to be overflowing the shelves, I want to be so far behind with my reading that I'll have enough to entertain me until I'm 200 years old.

Books are just not something of which you can have too many.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my wonderful mother-in-law! We had a very fun day with you!

Home Sick

I'm ready for cold and flu season to be over.

February Collage

I cannot believe February is over already! Those 28 days definitely got away from me!

Below is my February photo-of-the-day collage. Can you tell what subject got the majority of my camera's attention?